To Kiss An Idol

84 The Reprimand

Man-Shik was ashamed after hearing about the impossible and absurd activities of Da-Hee. She was supposed to help the customers not fixate on one and stalk him. And she didn’t stop after that, she went to almost every changing room trying to find him, disturbing others in the process. If this news ever got out in the world, the famous store would gain a bad reputation.

“Da-Hee-ssi,” shouted Man-Shik. “What do you have to say about yourself?”

“Guys! Can we have some privacy? Please scatter and thank you for your help,” requested Nivritti in Korean.

“Yes, please continue shopping and very sorry on her behalf, please, sir, please ma’am. We are very sorry. Extremely sorry, joesonghabnida, joesonghabnida,” said Man-Shik and kept bowing to every patron till they moved away. He then turned to Da-Hee and ordered, “now talk.”

She started bowing again and again and shivered with fear. “Sorry, sir, he looked like some actor or idol. I just wanted to look at his face.”

“Waah! You didn’t even look at his face and you became obsessed?” observed Jae-Hwa.

“He had a mask on,” Da-Hee was on the verge of crying.

“Shame, girl, shame!” taunted Nivritti.

“Da-Hee-ssi, I have had enough of your stupid antics. You are too obsessed with k-dramas and K-pop. You are suspended for a week. Now get lost, collect your things and leave. Don’t show me your face for a week,” reprimanded Man-Shik.

.....

“But Sir...” pleaded Da-Hee.

“Just leave,” Man-Shik said with definiteness. Da-Hee bowed to Nivritti and Man-Shik, lowered her head and left. Man-Shik then turned towards Nivritti and offered, “I am sorry ma’am, very sorry on her behalf. Please try your dresses and come see me. We will give you a 40 percent discount on every item.”

Nivritti immediately looked at Jae-Hwa who also looked at her. Both exchanged a look, then controlled their smile and stood stoically. Nivritti looked at Man-Shik angrily and said, “you think you will give me a bribe and I will forget the humiliation I had to feel. I am half-dressed right now. When everyone started coming, I had to grab this shirt to maintain my modesty. Oh, the trauma I had to face!” She placed her arm over her forehead dramatically.

“Please, ma’am, please, I am very sorry for the troubles you had to face. And the discount we are offering is not a bribe. We just want to do something for you as compensation for the troubles you had to face. Please let us say sorry. Let us increase the discount to 60 percent,” spoke Man-Shik.

Nivritti glanced at Jae-Hwa and looked at her from the corner of her eyes. “Come on Ritti! They are sorry, forgive them. I was thinking of communicating all this drama on Communicator social site but this gentleman is nice,” persuaded Jae-Hwa.

“Hmm... 75 percent and I will think about it,” counteroffered Nivritti.

Man-Shik jumped at the opportunity. “Yes ma’am, of course, ma’am. Anything for you,” he shouted immediately. Everyone was scared of the Communicator app. If anyone went viral on that app, it could make careers or destroy them.

“Fine, I will come to find you after I am done trying all the clothes,” said Nivritti, politely.

“Yes, ma’am, absolutely ma’am,” said Man-Shik and after bowing down to both Nivritti and Jae-Hwa, he left them alone. He started with an urgent walk which then changed into a sprint and at the end of the corridor, he was practically running.

The moment Nivritti and Jae-Hwa could not see him, they both shrieked with happiness and started jumping in the air.

Kyung-Soo who was hidden under the clothes was impressed with Nivritti. Well, he was low-key scared of her too. How she created a scene to get the girl punished was beyond his belief. She didn’t care about what others will say about her, she just wanted that girl to be punished. She was firm and loud and she made that girl say from her own mouth what she did wrong. She admitted to all the wrongdoings.

Nivritti even mentioned the fact that the girl was peeping in. How could she say that? That made him yelp with shock. He told her that to make her aware of the situation and then she used that information against that girl. Maybe it was a smart move. He was glad that others too helped her. They stood with her in her fight, well, his fight.

He knew in his heart that if it would have been about her, she would have definitely run away from the situation, but it was about him, and that’s why she chose to fight. The only time she fought for herself was with Thae. But that situation was still not all about her. Maybe she chose to fight then because she was thinking about Rencontre. This girl needed to learn how to fight for herself.

He sighed with relief after hearing the punishment. He was happy that she got what she deserved. Sometimes, Kyung-Soo used to curse his handsomeness due to girls like that. Everyone likes the attention but when it turns into stalking and obsession, that becomes a real headache. No one wants that.

He smiled when he heard Nivritti bargaining about the discount. She practically blackmailed the poor man. Why do girls like discounts so much, he could never understand? The girls were shrieking and laughing and enjoying outside the door. He wanted to come out of the hiding place, but it was not the right time.

“Oh my God, oh my God!” screamed Nivritti.

“Oh, you are so lucky, first bonus and now 75 percent discount. You are the right person to make friends with. I will now take 2 dresses,” mocked and laughed Jae-Hwa.

“Take four, ha-ha,” laughed Nivritti.

“By the way, what are you wearing?” asked Jae-Hwa, looking weirdly at the loose shirt.

Nivritti opened her buttons and showed her dress to Jae-Hwa. “Hot damn!” exclaimed Jae-Hwa. “That is an awesome dress. Your figure is looking so good. See my choice,” winked Jae-Hwa.

“Shut up!” shouted Nivritti, embarrassingly. She knew Kyung-Soo was hearing everything and here Jae-Hwa was talking about her figure. She really wanted someone to tell her why such things happened before him.

“You have to buy this dress,” ordered Jae-Hwa.

“Go, try your dresses. Find some more as now we have a 75 percent discount,” she said happily in a sing-songy tone.

“Yes, boss,” saluted Jae-Hwa and walked away smiling.

Nivritti stood at the door for some time waiting for Jae-Hwa to vanish and to be far away from her earshot. The moment Jae-Hwa entered a changing room, Nivritti instantly jumped inside her changing room and latched the door shut.